The Project's Team

Eva Marie Woywod﻿

#WhenIBecameFree-The Heartland Project is an endeavor Eva has been wanting to take on for quite some time now. She is the team leader and will be the one conducting interviews , doing the writing and keeping the team on track.

﻿For the last 9 years Eva has been a reporter for the The Messenger of Juneau County. Her articles cover a range of topics from city government, crime, to human interest.

She is a survivor of child sexual assault, sexual assault and domestic violence. Over the years she has volunteered as a domestic violence and sexual assault advocate for victims.

In 2009 Eva started a local organization, Lend a Hand, to help those in Juneau County experiencing a housing/financial crisis. That organization grew into a larger one now known as Circle of Hope. They provide crisis intervention when funds are available which may include providing emergency shelter for those experiencing homelessness.

In 1999 and while living in Illinois Eva started a parent advocacy organization to help educate parents on their rights in regard to their child with disabilities/special needs. During that time she volunteered to be an special education advocate on behalf of students and their families.﻿

Gabriel Brown

Gabriel J. Brown is an 12th grade student at iLEAD Charter School in Mauston, Wisconsin. Gabe is a native to Wisconsin. When asked by Eva to be a general researcher and editor for this project he said he was more than eager - "By doing this, I wish to expand my knowledge of both domestic abuse cases and how the people affected adapt and recover." ﻿

Max Nelson

Last school year ,Max Nelson was a Senior at iLead Charter in Mauston, Wisconsin. Max helped quite a bit with the project by utilizing his research skills.. Max, when asked about why he wanted to take part in the project stated, "I want to be involved in Eva's project here because I was raised by a mother who grew up in an abusive household. I’ve grown up with stories of what their life was like when she was a child and I’ve always been very inspired by how strong she is, coming out of that experience." Max will be helping with research and art design.

Kyle Roberts

Kyle Roberts attends iLEAD Charter School in Mauston, Wisconsin. He is in 12th grade. Kyle is Eva's youngest child and has had a front seat view on how destructive domestic violence is to a family. Kyle will be the man behind the camera in the short documentary about Project Heartland and he will also be assisting Gabriel Brown and Max Nelson in research for the project. "In this project I hope to learn more about DV and abuse, the victims and survivors who are making a difference in their communities,"stated Kyle. ﻿